Inclusive sailing on European Day of Action – 5 May 2026
On the European Day of Action for the Equality of People with Disabilities, the Hamburg Sailing Club and Wir sind Wir Inclusion in Sailing e.V. are jointly organising a day of action on the Außenalster. In the morning, school sailing sessions will take place with the Bugenhagen School in Alsterdorf; in the afternoon, para-sailors and inclusive athletes from Hamburg will gain an insight into inclusive sailing; and in the evening, the after-work sailing event will welcome guests from the worlds of sport, politics and business on board. Sailing will take place on J/70, J/22, SV 14 and RS Venture Connect boats – some fitted with the new para/Olympic gennakers. A joint project promoting visibility, social interaction and the Paralympic Games in Hamburg.
The Heinz Kettler Germany Cup will be held for the fourth time in 2025. “Wir sind Wir – Inclusion in Sailing e.V.” is once again organising this inclusive sailing series this season with the support of the Heinz Kettler Foundation and in cooperation with the Möhnesee Yacht Club. This year’s Cup gets underway on the first race day (15 and 16 May) at the Möhnesee Yacht Club. The second race day is scheduled to run concurrently with the Sassnitz leg of the
international sailing competition SailGP on Rügen (18–20 August). The final on the third match day is likely to take place from 18–20 September in Belgium. The match days promise an exciting mix of sailing on inland waters and the Baltic Sea.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to email us at: news@wir-sind-wir.org
The programme also once again features the world’s largest sailing regatta for women, the popular ‘Helga Cup’ on Hamburg’s Außenalster. With its large international field of female competitors, the Cup is one of the absolute highlights of women’s sailing. For the second time this year, there will be an additional classification for inclusive teams: former world champions in inclusive sailing are also expected back on the starting line.
From April to October, the Kroschke Children’s Foundation, the Günter and Vera Faasch Foundation, the Friends of the Bugenhagen School e.V. and the Alliance for Youth e.V. will once again be offering inclusive sailing courses for children and young people with and without disabilities on Hamburg’s Außenalster, in cooperation with ‘Wir sind Wir – Inclusion in Sailing e.V.’, the Hamburg Sailing Club and the North German Regatta Association. As well as learning to sail together, the focus is on providing new, inclusive experiences. A total of nine sailing courses will be held in 2025 – significantly more than before. For the first time this year, children and young people with severe disabilities will also be taking part.
Kieler Woche 2026: We are organising a comprehensive, inclusive sailing programme during the world’s largest sailing event. J/70 crews comprising blind, visually impaired and sighted sailors will compete together in the regattas – true inclusion at the highest sporting level. For wheelchair users, we offer accessible sailing trips and regatta-accompanying cruises on the Outer Kiel Fjord aboard a specially equipped boat with an experienced support team. A three-day sailing course enables blind and visually impaired people to take up the sport of sailing. On the 70-foot sailing boat ‘Little Dream’, guests experience the regatta action up close and can actively take part in the sailing. Our aim: to make sailing accessible to everyone – regardless of the nature or severity of a disability. Breaking down barriers, fostering connections, practising inclusion.
At an inclusive summer festival on 2 July in Hamburg, the association – in collaboration with the NRV and the HSC – will showcase its inclusive sailing activities, provide information about the individual projects and offer an opportunity to network. Members of the press are warmly invited. Further information is available at news@wir-sind-wir.org.
The second match day of the 2026 Heinz Kettler Germany Cup will take place from 18–20 August in Sassnitz, Rügen. Further information and details will follow shortly. If you have any questions or would like further information, please feel free to email us at: news@wir-sind-wir.org
The final / Day 3 of the Heinz Kettler Germany Cup 2026 will take place from 18 to 20 September 2026. Further information and details will follow shortly. If you have any questions or require further information, please feel free to email us at: news@wir-sind-wir.org
